HB1192
To Prohibit The Possession Of Tobacco, Tobacco Products, And E-cigarettes By Students; And To Require The Parent Of A Student Who Uses, Possesses, Or Smokes Tobacco, Tobacco Products, Or E-cigarettes To Pay A Fine.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill, House Bill 1192, aims to prohibit public school students from possessing or using tobacco, tobacco products, and e-cigarettes on public school property. It amends existing law to explicitly include the use or possession of these items by students within school district or open-enrollment public charter school property, including real property and school buses. A key provision is the imposition of fines on the parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis for a student found violating these prohibitions. The fines escalate with subsequent offenses, starting at $100 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense. Fines collected are to be remitted to the local town or city police department. However, this fine provision does not apply to students in the custody of the Division of Children and Family Services or the Division of Youth Services.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools, as it strengthens their ability to enforce tobacco-free environments and potentially discourages student use of these products. Local town and city police departments would also benefit from the collection of fines generated by violations of the bill. Ultimately, proponents of the bill would argue that students and the broader school community would benefit from a healthier and safer school environment, free from the use of tobacco and e-cigarettes.
Who Might Suffer?
The primary groups negatively impacted by this bill would be the parents, legal guardians, or persons standing in loco parentis of public school students who are found to be in possession of or using tobacco, tobacco products, or e-cigarettes on school grounds. These individuals would face escalating financial penalties for their child's violations. Additionally, students themselves would be subject to school disciplinary actions beyond the financial penalties imposed on their guardians. While exceptions exist for students in state custody, the majority of families with students who violate these provisions would bear the financial burden.